Hospital use and health status of women during the 5 years following the birth of a premature, low-birthweight infant

Objective. This study examined the health status and hospital use of women after the birth of a premature, low-birthweight infant. Methods. The subjects were women with infants who participated in a multisite, randomized trial of an early intervention program. The outcomes examined were (1) a maternal health rating of poor or fair (i.e., poorer health) 5 years following delivery and (2) hospital use for a non-pregnancy-related condition. Results. By the fifth year after delivery, 29.7% of the women had been hospitalized for a non-pregnancy-related condition. Women who reported poorer health status (adjusted relative risk [RR] = 2.39; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.86, 3.07) or who had asthma (RR = 2.24; CI= 1.31, 3.80) were at greatest risk. After 5 years, 16.9% of the women said they were in poorer health. The number of intervening years in poorer health (1 year, RR=3.17; CI=2.04, 4.94; >1 year, RR = 8.42; CI = 5.50, 12.88), more than 1 year of poverty (RR = 3.28; CI = 1.90, 5.66), obesity (RR = 3.30; CT = 1.44, 7.55), and more than 1 year of employment (RR = 0.55; CI = 0.36, 0.86) were all significantly associated with poorer health. Conclusions. The continued, substantial morbidity and hospital use of women with a premature, low-birthweight infant has not previ ously been reported. This observation needs to be verified.